When President Richard M. Nixon signed the Endangered Species Act (ESA) into law, America was at a conservation crossroads. Would we as a nation accept a future of vanishing species? Or would we have the wisdom, courage and vision to protect our nation’s natural heritage for future generations? Thankfully, we chose the path of protection, passing the ESA and paving the way for some of our nation’s greatest conservation success stories. Today this landmark legislation faces new challenges that require the same measure of courage and vision.

This is the first study to evaluate every candidate conservation agreement with assurances (CCAA) issued through 2012. It first analyzes how and when CCAAs have been used, and then describes recommended improvements to CCAA implementation.

For almost 40 years, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has helped prevent the extinction of our national treasures. Learn about the species of the West that the ESA has saved from the threat of extinction and put back on the road to recovery. Included in this factsheet: Aleutian Canada goose, Columbia whitetail deer, grizzly bear, gray wolf of the northern Rockies, and southern sea otter.

For almost 40 years, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has helped prevent the extinction of our national treasures. Learn about the species of the Southwest that the ESA has saved from the threat of extinction and put back on the road to recovery. Included in this factsheet: Aplomado falcon, Apache trout, southwestern willow flycatcher and whooping crane.

For almost 40 years, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has helped prevent the extinction of our national treasures. Learn about the species of the Southeast that the ESA has saved from the threat of extinction and put back on the road to recovery. Included in this factsheet: Sea turtles, manatee, red-cockaded woodpecker and Florida panther.

For almost 40 years, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has helped prevent the extinction of our national treasures. Learn about the species of the Northeast that the ESA has saved from the threat of extinction and put back on the road to recovery. Included in this factsheet: Bald eagle, peregrine falcon, Karner blue butterfly and piping plover.

For almost 40 years, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has helped prevent the extinction of our national treasures. Because of the Act, iconic species such as the bald eagle, the peregrine falcon and the American alligator are one again thriving. But many lesser-known imperiled creatures have also been saved. These species are frequently overlooked, but they and their habitats play valuable roles in providing us with clean water, food, medicines and other important products. This factheet features several under-appreciated endangered species that are moving away from the brink of extinction and highlight the value of these often overlooked creatures.